I sit at my table with a steaming mug of earl grey beside me. The table is strewn with notebooks and lists and calendars. My pen is poised to write, but I’m having trouble adding anything to the page.

How are you feeling? Are you struggling, too? I hope you’re taking care of yourself. Being gentle with your spirit.

We’re halfway through January (can you believe it?). Usually by now I’ve written out intentions for the year, given form to the year’s goals and mapped ideas on my calendars.

This year I’m moving in slow motion. I’m craving stillness and quiet and time to think and be. Part of it is seasonal. I have less energy in winter and without my garden, less inspiration. Over the years I’ve acknowledged and even embraced slowing down for rest and reflection in wintertime.

This year is different. And it’s no wonder. Layer political upheaval in the US on top of weariness from the pandemic and the hope and energy of the new year disappears.

If you’re feeling sluggish, if you’re struggling to find clarity, if you’re wanting to retreat, you’re not alone.

What can we do about it?

I’ve come to realize how important it is to listen to my feelings, especially at times when I’m feeling “off”. I need to tune in to my intentions. To get clear about what it is that I want (and need) and figure out how everything fits together.

For me, the best way to do this is to become still and quiet. To tune out the noise. Unplug. Get outside. Walk. Think. Write in my journal. Pick up a craft or experiment in the kitchen. Sometimes I need to refrain from jumping into any projects and instead spend time letting ideas infuse and marinate. Revisit goals. Re-read to-do lists. Get clear about what it is I want and what it is I need.

But I also know how easy it is for time to get away from me. Without some clear goals and intentions, I’ll drift and accomplish nothing.

What I need right now is to simplify. I want to get back to what’s at the heart of everything I do – making art, noticing joy and encouraging YOU to find joy and be creative, too.

I’m running a business, so often my days are filled with emails, packing orders, accounting, website maintenance, product photography, research, learning new things, marketing… the list goes on. I teach, too, and when I’m creating a new class there’s planning, scripting, filming, editing, recording (and editing and more editing)… I love what I do and I feel grateful to be able to live this life, but sometimes I need to re-navigate, to come back to myself.

If you’re struggling, here are some questions to ask yourself as you’re setting intentions and working on your goals and plans:

• How do I want to feel?

• How do I want to make others feel?

• Does this goal/intention/plan align with those feelings?

• Does it make the world a better (or more beautiful) place?

• In the most general terms, what do I want to accomplish? What is my greater purpose? My main goal?

• Will this goal/intention/plan help me accomplish my main goal(s)?

• A year from now if I haven’t crossed it off my list, how will I feel about it?

I use a simple calendar for sketching out my year and thought you might like to use it, too. Find it here.

For me, I’m simplifying. I’ve let social media fall to the side for the time being. And I’ve made the hard decision to let go of Sips of Inspiration. I know some of you have enjoyed the series. I’ve enjoyed putting it together. Chatting with other artists, sharing their stories with you. But it’s also a lot of work and the series didn’t quite meet the goals I had for it. Sometimes the right choice is to let something go.

My tea has gotten cold, but after taking time to sit with my thoughts and ideas, my pen moves more easily over the page. And I feel more comfortable with the blank areas on my calendar, relishing a bit of space and time.

What are you struggling with this year? What are you embracing? What are you letting go?